Good shape
capturing the characteristics of these unique variants;
comprehensive airframe conversion; excellent
casting; clever engineering; worthy donor kit; cockpits and F-4/F-5
conversions should be easier to assemble than the kit counterparts

Disadvantages:

Recommendation:

Highly Recommended
to experienced, large-scale modellers

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor
Productions

FirstLook

Trumpeter's 1/32 scale P-38J/L Lightning is a good kit - well detailed,
accurate and nice surface detail. Cutting Edge Modelworks now offers
some very interesting options for backdating, converting and
superdetailing this kit.

All four sets reviewed share high quality of
casting we have come to expect of Cutting Edge. All parts in each of my
samples are flawlessly cast.

Each set is accompanied by an instruction sheet
with explanatory text and images. The resin parts are securely packed
inside a stout cardboard box plus bubblewrap protection inside.

The conversions and cockpits are as follows:

CEC32156 P-38F/G/H Conversion
for Trumpeter

This set will transform the 1/32 scale Trumpeter P-38J/L into P-38F,
P-38G, or P-38H variants. This is a major conversion that completely
replaces the forward and lower nacelles, and also includes the boom oil
coolers and scoops, supercharger covers and the early style windscreen.

Click thumbnails below to
view larger images :

Cleanup of the parts will be quite straightforward, as there are no
imposing casting blocks.

The clear resin windscreen is very clear and free of distortion.

CEC32157 P-38F/G/H Super Detailed Cockpit

Cutting Edge has replaced all the cockpit parts in the Trumpeter kit
with their own resin replacement.

Not only are the resin parts better detailed than their kit
counterparts, and accurate for the early versions of the Lightning,
there are also significantly fewer parts. These perfectly cast parts
will look great under a careful paint job.

Cutting Edge has included a bare seat and a set of their
unique flexible resin harness straps.

The radio looks particularly good, and is quite
different from the later version found in the P-38J/L.

This cockpit will be an essential companion to the early
P-38 exterior airframe conversion

CEC32156 F-4A/F-5A/F-5B/F-5C Conversion
for Trumpeter

If you have always had a hankering to build an large scale, early
twin-tailed spy-in-the-sky, now is your chance.

Cutting Edge has added yet more options to the Trumpeter P-38 by
offering a 1/32 scale F-4A/F-5A/F-5B/F-5C Conversion.

Considering this is a large conversion replacing the entire nose, it is
fairly simple in its parts breakdown. Just seven parts in grey resin and
seven in clear are necessary to transform your Lightning into an early
photo-recce bird.

The two large nose halves include locating ridges to assist accurate
alignment with the plastic kit fuselage pod. Seven cameras are supplied,
although not all will be used depending on the version chosen. Check
your references to see which cameras applied to each version.

Windows for each of the cameras are supplied in clear resin.

The casting attachment is not thick, but some care will be required to
ensure that only the waste material is removed. A few extra minutes
making sure of this may save more time filling and sanding later.

This conversion comprises significantly fewer parts than the kit nose,
so it will conceivably speed construction!

CEC32159 P-38J/L Super Detailed Cockpit

Cutting Edge has also released a P-38J/L replacement cockpit for
modellers who do not want to backdate Trumpeter's kit.

Parts breakdown is the same as the early cockpit, including the
flexible resin harness. The most noticeable differences are the radio on
the rear deck, and the instrument panel.

Click thumbnails below to
view larger images :

Each of these conversion and cockpit sets are
produced to a very high standard, and will deliver a measure of
individuality to your big Trumpeter P-38 Lightning.

All the sets are clearly marked "For Experienced
Modelers Only", and I would agree with that assessment. There is a
fair bit of cutting involved with each of the conversions, and the
confidence that comes with experience will help get those cuts in
the right place. The cockpits are pretty much a drop-fit replacement
for the kit parts, so less experience will be required for these.